JUST when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, a predatory monster fish has been spotted swimming in a Middleton waterway.

The ‘Jaws’ alert was sparked when a giant pike leapt from the murky waters of Rochdale Canal, grabbing a duck by the neck and dragging it under.

Astonished fishermen near the tranquil stretch of water – between Stakehill and the ‘Iron Donger’ railway bridge - threw stones at the fish and managed to pull the bird to safety when the pike released its grip.

A local woman who witnessed the attack took the bird home where it is now recovering from a 5in gash to its neck.

One of the anglers said: "It was definitely a pike and one hell of a size, probably more than three feet long. I've not heard of one of this size in this stretch of water before, so it may have come down the canal through Slattocks locks.

"They can be vicious so local youngsters should beware of dangling their legs or arms in the water.

"With warm weather on the way you get youngsters dipping in the canal. They even jump off the Iron Donger into the canal, it's a local pastime. They could get a nasty surprise."

Another angler, Brian Morris, of Michael Street, Archer Park, said that at this time of year the pike would most likely be chasing food - young perch and roach – down the canal.

"They really are vicious, you only have to look at their piranha like teeth to see the damage they can do," he said. "Pike are the great white sharks of the freshwater fishing world. Just ask the anglers who have had fingers nipped off by them."

The fish, which could be upwards of 20 years old, has now become a prize target for local fisherman.